Rest in between?

[lsmo_guy]

Ok, I have read a few articles over the past few weeks that talk about the rest period between sets. Most of the articles state that a rest period between 2 and 4 minutes is ideal for mass gaining. <B>BUT</B>, I just read an article, that shows study information, that a rest period of one minute is ideal for mass gaining.
All I can say is .... <B>HUH</B>?
How much time to you rest between sets? And, what is your opinion on this topic?

I think I am going to stick with what I am doing, since it is in between ... around 90 seconds between sets. I should cover the "spread", right?

[Klayfish]

Hopefully someone with more research knowledge can chime in, but I'm not sure there is one "best answer" to this. Keep a good pace and go as soon as your ticker is ready. In general, bigger muscle groups need more rest, smaller ones less.

For me, I go somewhere around 60-90 seconds depending on the workout. I do admit on leg day, my lunges are killer....sometimes I need two minutes.

[ntrllftr]

And, what is your opinion on this topic?

I think I am going to stick with what I am doing, since it is in between ... around 90 seconds between sets. I should cover the "spread", right?

Exactly! A blanket statement can not be made like that. Everyone is different.
Do what's best for you. I hit the next set when I feel it's time. I have no set rest limit.

[VaSoldier]

There'll probably be a hundred different answers to this thread, and probably every answer has strong foundations. I've always heard and used the practice that 45 seconds to 1 minute is a good appropriate rest time betweens sets.

[ntrllftr]

There'll probably be a hundred different answers to this thread, and probably every answer has strong foundations. I've always heard and used the practice that 45 seconds to 1 minute is a good appropriate rest time betweens sets.

Only during contest prep I will close the gap to that. Hell, I may even still take 1.5 minutes inbetween. If you want to gain some size, there is no whey around it.... You need time to recover to hit the next set just as hard.

[Gym God]

I alternate between rest time depending on what my goals are, and depending on my bodypart. Experiment and see what works best for you.

[ironwill2008]

I'm only interested in being able to lift the most weight for the most reps during the next set, so I simply wait until my breathing returns to near-normal, and then I hit it. I don't care about the clock.

[rob440]

Another question like how many sets or reps should I do. Details that you can ponder and experiment with;

supposed growth hormone and or testosterone release due to intense stress. By keeping the rest shorter it seems to me that in theory these events are more likely to take place if the research in this area is correct. Kind of like the reasoning behind squats and deadlifts making your whole body grow. Shorter rest more metabolic stress more biochemical activity. GH, test, lactic acid, cortisol. Fact or current science? Let your experiments be your guide.

On the flip side less rest equates to less strength less weight used ect. More weight is more stress on the working muscle and possibly more growth in response.

I have done both with good results not because just anything will work for me but because I put a lot into my training.

[IronCharles]

Depends on what exercise I'm doing. Bicep curls, I rest about 30 seconds between sets. Squats or deadlifts, more like 2 minutes. It averages out to about 45-60 seconds between sets.

I like to keep my heart rate somewhat elevated throughout my entire 45 to 60 minute workout. It helps me keep my cardiovascular system in shape, and burns fat.

[older1]

I never pay attention to the clock. I just go again when my body feels like it's time for the next set.

[djflex]

I try and go 1-2 minutes between sets. Sometime on my last set , if it heavy will give a little extra time. 4 minutes between set seems excessive , my w/o would take hours

[rippedandforty]

Every set is to be done to failure. If you get to failure, 45 sec. seems quite short.

[-=FLEX=-]

I'm only interested in being able to lift the most weight for the most reps during the next set, so I simply wait until my breathing returns to near-normal, and then I hit it. I don't care about the clock.

I never pay attention to the clock. I just go again when my body feels like it's time for the next set.

Same for me.

I spent a lot more time in the weight room than most. My workouts are normally 90-105 minutes. It's not a race. I allow myself the time to train the way I like to train. It's not unusual for me to take 40 minutes just for squats alone.

But I do work up a good sweat, and keep it going.

-=FLEX=-

[Most Muscular]

I don't watch the clock but I listen to my body. At times during a heavy leg workout my rest periods can be 5 minutes or longer before I feel I have the energy to lift another heavy set. Other exercises I can nearly superset. It also depends upon my cardiovascular health. When I was doing more cardio this winter I found my recovery time was faster.

nuff said...

[2nd_chance]

I listen to my body too, but just as a reference here's a guideline for ATP replenishment:

[dawsondvm]

I have found that I must rest at least 2 min between sets for my muscles to recover. When doing heavy squats/DL/rows I may wait 3 min by the end of my wo.

[AndroShock]

60-90 between warm-ups.
2 minutes between work sets. My work sets are 6-8 reps at 85% 1rm.
Always told 2 minutes for the best use of creatine.

[oldsuperman]

Exactly! A blanket statement can not be made like that. Everyone is different.
Do what's best for you. I hit the next set when I feel it's time. I have no set rest limit.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yep! Maybe not! Could be! Yes! Nope! EXACTLY!

Hey Carl!

[Staynlean]

Exactly! A blanket statement can not be made like that. Everyone is different.
Do what's best for you. I hit the next set when I feel it's time. I have no set rest limit.

Exactly, my body will tell me when it is time but I do focus on getting it in no more 90 secs later...

[dfowler]

I’m a beginner, but for me it depends on the reps. if I’m doing 3-5 reps with heavier weight I rest longer than doing 8-10.

[joenj07087]

like IronCharles and others have said here, in my case, depends what excercise I'm doing, I have gone a full 2 minutes rest between sets of Squats, but sometimes just a minute for others. I also try to workout ar a fast rate for fitness purporses!(burn fat and stuff)

[Forge3]

I don't time myself. After a strong set I go for a little walk outside the gym and back in 2-3 minutes. For me my heart rate gets close to normal before I push another set.

[cl37]

however long it takes my partner/s to do their sets is how long I wait.

[2nd_chance]

I don't time myself. After a strong set I go for a little walk outside the gym and back in 2-3 minutes. For me my heart rate gets close to normal before I push another set.

You actually walk outside the gym between sets???

[rpaul11]

You actually walk outside the gym between sets???

I'll actually step outside the front door of my gym for a minute sometimes.

For me it really depends on the lift and the exertion....after a while you just kinda know why your body is ready for the next lift.

[SR800]

I'm only interested in being able to lift the most weight for the most reps during the next set, so I simply wait until my breathing returns to near-normal, and then I hit it. I don't care about the clock.

I never pay attention to the clock. I just go again when my body feels like it's time for the next set.

Same for me.

I spent a lot more time in the weight room than most. My workouts are normally 90-105 minutes. It's not a race. I allow myself the time to train the way I like to train. It's not unusual for me to take 40 minutes just for squats alone.

But I do work up a good sweat, and keep it going.

-=FLEX=-

I don't watch the clock but I listen to my body. At times during a heavy leg workout my rest periods can be 5 minutes or longer before I feel I have the energy to lift another heavy set. Other exercises I can nearly superset. It also depends upon my cardiovascular health. When I was doing more cardio this winter I found my recovery time was faster.

nuff said...

See above!!!

[JOHN GARGANI]

OKAY! I am going to take this where no one else DARES to take it!

you remember Arnold's famous statement about the analogy between the muscle pump and coming in Pumping Iron?

well here is the skinny on a workout, analgous to Sex with your favorite gal ( in this case, the "gal", unfortunately, is the cold hard steel ):


Now, I am not talking about Quickie sex, or furtive sex, or adolescent sex: I am talking MATURE and LOVING: so: where is the analogy?

How do you start? like a screaming banshee on fire? NOPE.....you start deliberately...gently, can I say it on here amongst us men, TENDERLY....

you caress, you fondle, etc.......hey, then what happens?

some sort of mutual thing starts to go on, right??? you feel it, your gal feels it, now, the "caresses" get a little stronger, the gentle becomes a little more forcible....

but here is the miracle: what would have grated on, or rubbed on the wrong way in the beginning, now doesn't seem to matter, in fact, you now reach a point where it can't be quick or tough enough......

DINGA DINGA DANGA DINGO.....WHEW! wow, was that a great one....was it as good for you, Dear???


you have just completed a masterpiece of a love "symphony" , rising in inexorable crescendo, until it can go only one way, the climax.....


SO IS THE WORKOUT!!!

each and every one, is like sex with your gal pal: it is a symphony, a masterpiece, that can only end one way: with a skin bursting mind numbing PUMP.......

but to get there, aha, just like the sex: the same way "hard" caresses would be too much initially, so, similarly, jacking around ridiculous weights with little or no rest , initially, would also "hurt"....

so what you do? you take it slow at first, you build up, not only in weight, but, as in our sex scenario, in pace and therefore, rest times, like foreplay, is NOT regimental and exactly timed, nor is it straight linear ( no pun intended )....

instead, rest periods become periodically SHORTER as the pace quickens: you are heading for the "climax"...the , "can't lift my arms over my shoulders, or the can't make my elbows meet together in front of my body" total pump......

the pace quickens, THE INTENSITY QUICKENS: the excitement, or passion, is now the blood circulating through all of the muscles, the CNS kicking into high gear.....

and just as this crescendo is felt by both love partners, so you AND the IRON begin to feel this, because as you rush along, the weight now feels more like it is a part or extension of your body, it is one with you.........

and then you, and the weight, finally reach the end, the climax, with the glorious pump, which now, like afterglow, seems to last forever......

and you bask in it! that's right, men and ladies, I said it: YOU BASK IN IT! you walk around the gym, look in the mirrors, maybe run a few poses, expand your chest, ETC and so on......

you and your love, the IRON, have shared something special.....


think about it in THAT fashion, before you start your next training session!!!!

[SR800]

Are we talking about fapping or training, or training for fapping

[BrotherWolf]

How much time to you rest between sets? And, what is your opinion on this topic?

As long as it is necessary to be able to perform all the reps and set...

You can jump from set to set with little rest if you're doing curls or something like that
and longer rest for compound lifts .. deadlifts, squat etc.. but it all depends on how much you are lifting and how many reps..
not an issue worth discussing too many variables